System and method for providing integrated management of electronic information

ABSTRACT

A system and method for managing electronic information using a computer system for one or more users, comprising creating an electronic folder and storing the folder in an electronic folder management system, creating files for the electronic folder, maintaining a collection of electronic folders and the files stored therein, and associating the electronic folders with one or more files such that each of the files may be accessed by identifying the related electronic folder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and system for integrated managementof information, and more particularly to a method and system forintegrated management of information in a computer-readable format thatcan be used over the Internet and similar communication means.

2. Description of Related Art

In a strictly paper-based environment, information relating to clients,customers and/or projects, such as documents, tables, graphics orfacsimiles are generally arranged in some organized fashion and indexedfor future reference in a folder by making use of a paper filing system,which s common in most offices. While paper-based systems may be common,because of the large number old documents relating to different clients,projects and matters, these paper-based systems may he rather large andbulky to deal with.

With the advent of computers, the usage and reliance on electronicinformation has become an ordinary fact of life. Furthermore, it is alsobecoming common to use the Internet and/or the Intranet to bringtogether more than one user for working together on common computerapplications. With computer users becoming increasingly common, more andmore data is being generated and electronically stored. Often the datais stored randomly, which causes users to encounter difficulty inattempting to retrieve the stored computer-readable files.

In addition to computer usage, usage of different and various means oftelecommunications are also becoming popular. The lines betweentelecommunications and computer usage are blurring, however. It is notuncommon today to use a computer for telecommunication purposes, andalso as part of one's multimedia setup for watching movies or listeningto music. For example, sending and/or receiving of facsimiles ofdocuments on one's computer hard-drive, communicating by voice over theInternet, making and receiving phone calls, listening to music on theInternet or stored locally, and watching live events simulcast on theInternet as well stored films are some of the frequent uses thatcomputers are being utilized for. Of course, the use of computer forcommunication purposes also leads to generation of data and otherrelated files, which must be stored in such a manner that they can laterbe retrieved in an easy manner.

With the drive for computerization, there is a growing trend to use owcomputers for as much office work as possible. Consequently, it is notuncommon to sec computers with stored documents, reports, spreadsheets,images and drawings, facsimiles, emails, multi-media files and databasesthat relate to existing clients, customers and/or projects.Unfortunately, having a large number of clients and projects makes itdifficult to keep track of all their associated files, documents and/orother pertinent information. Often times, because of the large number offiles, it is an impossible task to keep track thereof. Even when one issuccessful in finding and/or retrieving existing files, the time takento track down the desired file, document and/or other pertinentinformation may be prohibitively large.

The problems of managing these associated paper or computer-readablefiles become even more acute where one has to ensure their security byrestricting their access to an appropriate group of people.

Users often attempt to use a document management system for managingtheir documents, which are stored as computer-readable files.Unfortunately, these document management systems operate by creating aseparate application software that requires users to actively manage thestored files by knowing some detail about the computer files. In otherwords, there is generally no provision of going through all the contentsto find and retrieve one or more desired files.

Furthermore, existing systems do not allow the user to effectively findfiles that are not computer searchable, such as when the files arefaxes, images or voice mails which are also part of the contents of anelectronic folder. In other words, document management systems fail toallow the user to have the entire history of a folder (its entirecontent) of a particular or desired client, customer, or project, as theresult of a search. This is disadvantageous because the history of thefolder (i.e., the information of all files created and saved on asubject, including the filed that are not searchable) may be necessaryto act on desired file(s).

In addition, searching for files with existing systems in difficult,because the searches often result in files from different folders beinglisted together as the search result due to similarities in their filehistories and common elements in their identifying information. Thus, afile search could bring a result mixing files from separate folders ofdifferent or undesired matters, and prevent the correct understanding ofthe history of the folder to which a desired file really belongs.

Furthermore, existing document management systems do not allow multipleusers to simultaneously access and create documents listed in a DBMS. Asa result, it becomes necessary to create multiple copies of a file toallow access to multiple users.

Because of all these disadvantages, there is a need for a system whichallows individuals as well as organizations to efficiently manageelectronic information on computers. There is also a need for a systemthat facilitates storage of computer files in a manner that simulatesthe storage of actual folders and files so that a user does not have toactively manage the stored files. Additionally, there is a need ofhaving a unified system and method for structured classification,creation, storage, management, communication and retrieval of electronicinformation and data stored in a DBMS. Furthermore, there is a need fora system that allows users to store their computer files in a mannerthat is easy to organize for later retrieval and usage, and whichsimulates paper folders (herein called electronic folders or e-foldersand also allows searching of these folders using the full capabilitiesof a DBMS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. Oneaspect of the invention provides a system for maintaining an efficientmanagement of electronic information on a retrievable media, such as acomputer hard drive. The invention comprises a server, which isuser-friendly and has an integrated management system and method forstructured classification, creation, storage, management, communicationand retrieval of electronic information. The system simulates theold-fashioned paper filing system based on the user of paper folders,common in most offices, and does not require a change in the way userscreate, use and manipulate the stored electronic information.

The system is based on a single user-friendly interface that includesworkflow and work-groups capabilities. The integrated management systemis provided with search capabilities, such as a query builder that spansover multiple electronic information media, such as emails, files, datastored in databases, faxes, voicemails stored as files and the like.

The integrated management system is capable of managing, creating,searching, communicating and retrieving all incoming and user generatedelectronic information simultaneously. The users are allowed to searchdata in DBMS, which may be stored as mailing lists, payment sheets,inventories and the like, files created locally by computerized devicessuch as a Personal Computer (PC) applications, emails, voicemails andfaxes and calendar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram depicting the system of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B provides a depiction of the various components in the electronicfolder management system of the present invention;

FIG. 1C provides a depiction of the electronic folder management systemin use by a plurality of users;

FIG. 2A-2B are schematic flow diagrams illustrating general usage of thefile management process within the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram depicting the steps for login intothe system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram depicting the steps for retrievingthe desired electronic folders in system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram depicting the creation of anelectronic folder for the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram depicting the various operations thatmay be performed on the list of electronic folders 460 generated by theprocess of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram depicting the various operations thatmay be performed on the contents of the electronic folder generated bythe process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram depicting die actions that may beperformed on the file list the process of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram showing the process of converting anemail or a facsimile into a file and storing it in the electronic foldermanagement system;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram FIG. showing the process oftransmitting a document to a recipient in the form of an e-mail or afacsimile;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram showing the process of saving adocument locally or remotely; and

FIG. 12A-12L are screen-shots for one embodiment of the system of FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for storing andmanaging digital and paper content, for one or more users. The contentmay comprise documents, files, electronic mails (e-mails), facsimiles,voicemail, video, data files created in word processors, spreadsheets,CAD, and other applications, as well as data stored in SQL servers,DBMS, databases developed for workstation and/or LANs environment,and/or other relevant information that is stored in a computer-readableformat in a central location. It should be noted that this descriptiondiscloses an electronic folder management system, which stores contentthat may be referred to as documents, files, or other relevantinformation interchangeably, which should not be used to restrict thescope of the present invention.

The electronic folder management system may be accessed and used by aplurality of users simultaneously. The electronic folder managementsystem comprises plurality of databases for storing information onusers, files, electronic mails, facsimiles, search parameters, and thelike. The electronic folder management system also includes a softwareto manage the plurality of databases. As the following discussion willillustrate, the present system allows users to create and manageelectronic folders that simulate paper folders used in offices, andlinks and maintains a record of all the users' documents and filesstored on the server. The present invention allows users to access anyof their files from their electronic folders, and users can move betweenany of the files.

Furthermore, the management system includes an electronic mail (e-mail)client that receives and sends c-mails, and organizes them into a formatnail may be directly accessed from the user's electronic folder.Furthermore, the electronic folder management system also includes afacsimile client that receives and sends facsimiles, and organizesfacsimiles into a file format that may be directly accessed from theuser's electronic folder.

The present invention may be used in a public or a private setting. Onetypical example is in an office setting. In this implementation, theusers are allowed to enter information on the screen for theirelectronic folder so that the screen simulates an actual cover of apaper folder that generally has identifying information regarding theelectronic folder's contents. The entries on the screen facilitate thesearching and sorting of the contents of a user's folders and theircontents. For example, a user may search for all files and/or documentsthat were inserted in his folder after a given date, or the user maysearch for documents relating to a particular topic, and the like. Byusing the information on the start screen, the present inventionsearches a central database and retrieves a list of the contentsbelonging to the user's electronic folder and satisfying the searchcriteria.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the user is able to siftthrough the listed contents by merely clicking the next document buttonon the screen, which is similar to sifting through documents in a paperfolder. As is obvious, this embodiment is highly beneficial in that itallows users to sift through only those documents that satisfy theirsearch criteria, as compared to having to turn through all the case of apaper folder.

With reference to the figures, various embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described in greater detail. It is to beunderstood that the tasks shown in the figures and described in thisdescription can be sequenced in many different orders to achieve thedesired result. For example, depending on the implementation, it ispossible that key words can be received prior to receiving the content.The order or sequence of tasks illustrated in the figures is merelyintended to be exemplary of the concepts defined herein. FIG. 1Aprovides an illustration of a system in accordance with the presentinvention. The invention comprises a computerized method and system forintegrated management of electronic information, wherein clients use aclient program to connect to the server to access and use theirelectronic folders and the content stored therein.

Shown in the FIG. 1A is a central server 110 that forms the backbone ofthe present invention. The server 110 comprises a memory unit 120 and acentral processing unit (CPU) 130. The memory unit 120 serves as theelectronic holding place for instructions and data that the CPU 130 canreach quickly for processing. The CPU 130 is the central unit in theserver 110 containing logic circuitry that performs the instructions ofresident programs that drive the server 110. It should be noted that theserver 110 is not limited in its form, and may be a network ofcomputers, a distributed system, a mainframe computer, a web site andother related computer systems implementations. Furthermore, the server110 may be provided with a plurality of computers, where one computer isused to allow access to the system and method of the present inventionand the remaining computers house and power the system and method of thepresent invention. It should be noted that many different configurationsof a server 110 are contemplated as being within the spirit of thepresent invention.

The CPU 130 is connected to a storage unit 140 by a connection means150. Depending on the implementation, connections means 150 may be adata path, which is also known as a bus. Storage 140 contains anelectronic folder management system 145, which is configured to storeinformation about users and users' documents and/or files. According tothe invention, the storage capacity of the storage 140 can be expandedto allow an increase in the amount of data to be stored therein. Itshould further be noted that the storage unit 140 is not limited in itsform, and may be a hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or a tape backupsystem.

In one implementation, the server 110 may be provided with one or morecommunication means 160 that are connected to the CPU 130 by connectionmeans 150. The scope of the present invention is not limited by thechoice of communication means 160 employed. Accordingly, it is possibleto use a modem, a DSL, an ISDN, a cable modem or any similar device toallow a remote user to connect with the server 110 and communicatetherewith. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is riotlimited by the number of communication means 160 utilized by server 110.

According to the invention, at least one user 180 may connect to theserver 110. The users' systems are generally termed as clients. Theusers may connect to the server by dialing in, using a simple telephoneline, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) line, a cable modemline, an electronic data link, optical fiber connection, wireless dataconnection or any other known connection used for data transfer over theInternet or an Intranet. Alternatively, the client/server architectureof the electronic folder management system can be designed as a LocalArea Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN) or the like. Dependingupon the implementation, the connections can provide one or more modesof transmission, such as radio frequency transmissions, opticaltransmission, microwave transmission, digital or analog transmission, orother known data transmission.

The client 180 is provided with a client program 190 which is used toaccess the user's account in the server 110. The user 180 is able todial into server 110 and access his folder using the client program 190.According to one embodiment, the client program 190 is a browser whichis used to navigate to a web site that houses the server 110, and theserver's contents may be accessed using the browser. The CPU 130processes the activities of the clients dialing in and allows theappropriate access to the electronic folder management system 145. Theelectronic folder management system 145 is updated and stored in thestorage unit 140 for later usage.

The server is protected by various means for computer security,including a firewall 170 that may he provided between the communicationmeans 160 and the server 110. It should be noted that various securitymeasures are contemplated within the scope of the present invention toensure that the contents of the server 110 are fully secured.

FIG. 1B provides a depiction of the various components in the electronicfolder management system 145 of the present invention. As noted above,the electronic folder management system 145 simulates the storage ofactual paper folders and paper files and documents so that a user doesnot have to actively manage the stored files. The electronic foldermanagement system 145 comprises one or more electronic folders 192. Theelectronic folders 192 simulate the look and feel of a paper folder thatcontains a plurality of papers documents therein. Each electronic folder192 is divided into one or more sections 194. Each section 194 maycorrespond to a different topic or subject, and may be used to dividethe contents of the electronic folder 192. Within each section 194, theuser may store one or more computer-readable files 196. Each of thefiles 196 may represent .an e-mail, a word processor document, aspreadsheet, a audio file, a video file or any other computer-readablefile.

FIG. 1C provides a depiction of the electronic folder management system145 in use by a plurality of users, wherein the electronic foldermanagement system 145 is being utilized by a law firm that is involvedin the practice of intellectual property (IP) law. As shown in FIG. 1C,an electronic folder 192 may be associated with one or more users, whereeach user has user-privileges to use the underlying electronic folder192.

The various electronic folder 192 may correspond to trademarks,trademark opposition, litigation, patents, or the like. Each folder 192may further comprise one or more sections 194, which may correspond todifferent clients, different trademarks, different countries or thelike. Finally, each section 194 contains a plurality of files 196 ofvarious different types. The file types may include Microsoft® Worddocuments, images, e-mails, or the like.

FIG. 2A provides an overview of one embodiment of using the electronicfolder management system of the present invention. Since the inventionrelates to a computerized system for maintaining records, documents, andall other information and contents in a computer-readable format, themethod essentially enables the creation, modification and/or use of thecontents, in the form of files, in the electronic folder 192 of thepresent invention.

At step 200, a user logs into the system by providing the appropriateidentifying information. As noted above, the user is able to navigate tothe system by merely directing its client program 190 to the server 110,or if the user is using the system locally then by merely starting thesoftware implementing the present system. Once the electronic managementsystem is fully loaded, the user is able to enter the identifyinginformation for being able to log into the server 110.

At step 205, the system checks to see whether the user has apre-existing electronic folder. As noted above, the electronic foldersimulates the look and feel of a paper folder that contains a pluralityof papers documents therein. If the user does not have an existingelectronic folder, the user is presented with a choice of creating a newelectronic folder, as shown in step 210. If the user does not elect tocreate a new electronic folder, the user is logged off the system, asshown in step 220. On the other hand, if the user elects to create anelectronic folder, the user is provided with the appropriate screenhaving a blank cover page for the electronic folder in step 225. Theuser enters all the pertinent information on the cover of the electronicfolder. The information may not only be used to identify and label thefolder but also to provide assistance when the user later seeks tosearch for a given electronic folder out of many other existing folders,or wishes to retrieve documents stored in the electronic foldermanagement system. Once the user has entered the pertinent informationon the cover of the folder, the system creates an electronic foldertherein, and the user may create one or more files to be stored therein,as shown in step 230. Upon successful creation of the electronic folderand its included files, the user may print and/or send the file bye-mail or facsimile, or the user may log off the system, as shown instep 220.

However, if, at step 205, the user has an existing electronic folder,the user is provided with an opportunity to search for the desiredelectronic folder out of the many electronic folders stored in theelectronic folder management system, as shown in step 240. The userenters the search criteria, and then the system searches for thefolder(s) that satisfy the search terms entered, as shown in step 245.Finally, in step 250, the system generates a list of the electronic,folders that satisfy the search terms entered.

FIG. 2B provides an overview of the actions that may be performed on thecontents of the electronic folders. As noted above, at step 250 the useris provided with a listing of electronic folders that satisfy the searchcriteria for the search initiated in step 240. Should the user wish tonarrow the search that yielded the list of electronic folders in step250, the user may do so in step 252 by modifying and refining the searchterms. The electronic folder management system also allows a user toselect one electronic folder out of a plurality of folders listed, asshown in step 254, for performing one or more operations thereon, whichwill be discussed in more detail below. At step 256, the user isprovided the ability to generate a report for the listed electronicfolders. The user may choose the electronic folders that are to beincluded in the report, or the user may simply create a report thatincludes all the listed electronic folders. According to the invention,the user may generate the report in a print format, file format or thelike. The user may print a summarized version of the report where eachelectronic folder is described in one or two lines, or a detailedversion that includes a detailed summary of one or two electronicfolders per page.

In addition, the electronic folder management system allows the user tocreate a new electronic folder for a new client, customer, transaction,or for any other purpose for which the present invention is utilized, asshown in step 258. As noted above, the user is able to perform a varietyof operations on individual electronic folders by selecting thepertinent electronic folder. Where the user selects a folder, he isprovided with a new screen which has a plurality of options listedthereon. Some of the options contemplated within the spirit of thepresent invention will he discussed in more detail below.

The user is provided with a list of files in the electronic folder, oncethe user opens the electronic folder. The user is able to select filesfrom the electronic folder by merely clicking with a mouse or asimilar/substitute device on the desired file or document on the list offiles. Alternatively, the user may type in the name of the soughtdocument and perform a search on the contents of the electronic folder;the electronic folder manage rent system searches the file database andlists the contents that satisfy the search criteria. Since the contentsof the electronic folder are stored as distinct computer-readable files,any discussion pertaining to files should be construed to include anyand all types of computer-readable content stored and listed in theelectronic folder management system.

At step 260, the electronic folder management system allows the user toselect one of the files listed in the electronic folder and send it toanother person via e-mail or as a facsimile. At step 262, the user maycreate a new file, which could be a document, an image, an e-mail, anaudio-visual file or the like, and save it within the electronic folder.At step 264, the user is allowed to select a file from the electronicfolder and make changes thereto by editing and/or updating it. The usermay also delete an existing file from the electronic file, as shown instep 266. The user may also view a file from the electronic folder, asshown in step 268. According to the invention, when the user attempts toview a file, the system opens the appropriate application for enablingview of these files therein. For example, if the file is a Microsoft®Word document, the system will launch Microsoft® Word to enable the userto open the file therein. At this point, the user can simply view thedocument or make changes thereto. It should be noted that the presentsystem allows more than one user to access a file at a given moment,where the only one user is allowed to make changes to the tile, whilethe rest of the users can access the file in a read-only mode.

At step 270, the user may search the contents of the electronic folderfor a particular file if the user does not wish to browse through allthe listed files and/or documents. The user is also able to save a copyof a file on the local drive from the server 110, as shown in step 272.According to the invention, the user may also be able to upload a filefrom a local drive into the present electronic folder management system.

The user may perform a search on the contents of the electronic folder,as shown in step 270, which causes the system to generate a list offiles in step 280 that satisfy the search criteria. At step 290, theuser may select the contents from the list generated in step 280 andmanipulate one or more of the files listed therein.

The electronic folder may be provided with one or more sections tocompartmentalize the contents of the electronic folder. Thus, at step292, the user can add a new section to the electronic folder. At step294, the user may select a file from the list generated in step 280, andmake changes thereto by editing and/or updating the file. At step 296,the user may obtain an index of all the contents in the electronicfolder with which the user is working.

FIG. 3 provides an overview of the login process by the user identifyinghimself or herself to the electronic folder management system, mentionedearlier in step 200. The user name identification provides the systemwith information about the user. This information is relevant forvalidating the user to protect the data from hacking and unauthorizedaccess, for providing privacy, for customising the screens, tables,forms, reports, as well as all other features for a particular user,setting the permission levels for the user if he or she is part of agroup of users with multiple levels of privileges, such as write,delete, impute data and delete data, and to provide user drivenmanagement.

At step 300, the user navigates to the server 110. As noted above, ifthe user is connecting from a remote location, the user merely pointsits browser programs to the server 110. At step 310, the user isprovided with a screen to enter its validation information, and userenters identifying information in the form of user data 315. At step320, the system accepts the user data 315 as input and compares the userdata 315 with the data stored in a user database 325. The user database325 comprises a master list of all the valid users of the presentsystem, and any and all of their identifying information.

At step 330, the system checks to determine if the user is a valid userwho has the appropriate user privileges. If the user provides thecorrect information and has appropriate user privileges, the user isallowed into the system and provided with a start screen 340 for theuser's collection of electronic folders. This start screen 340 simulatesthe appearance and functioning of a collection of paper folders. If theuser is not validated by the system, the user is sent back to reenterthe identifying information at step 310.

FIG. 4 provides an illustration of various operations that can beperformed on the start screen 340, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. Where the user does not have any electronic foldercreated, or where the user wishes to create a new electronic folder, theuser may do so in step 400, which will be discussed in more detailbelow, If the user was validated by the system in step 330 and hasalready inserted information on the cover of his or her electronicfolder, the electronic folder management system allows the user toproceed further. According to the invention, the cover is user interfacethat is provided with identifying information regarding the electronicfolder, wherein the information is also displayed to the users.

Since the present system is an Internet-based electronic foldermanagement system for integrated management of electronic information bymeans of associating each piece of electronic information to data storedin the central databases, the start screen 340 is the “central gateway”for the use of the invention. The importance of the operations on thestart screen can be described as follows: because all pieces ofelectronic information must be associated to a user defined cover of theelectronic folder, the system only allows input, output or deletion ofelectronic information if the information is associated to the cover ofthe electronic folder.

Should the user wish to exit the system, the user may do so in step 410,and the system pushes the user out therefrom in step 415. At step 420,the user is allowed to provide an input of parameters 430 to search fora desired electronic folder or file. The user is able to use all thefields previously defined on the cover of the electronic folder tosearch for a specific electronic folder or file. The user is also ableto use all fields previously defined on the cover to generate reportscontaining data entered in the fields of the cover of the electronicfolder. The query/search parameters used to filter and sort theelectronic fields can be applied to any or all fields, in anyuser-defined hierarchy. The parameters selected or entered by the userare visible on a display unit. According to another embodiment, the usermay also select the parameters relating to the desired electronic folderfrom a selection of pre-defined parameters.

At step 435, the system executes the query corresponding to the searchinitiated by the user in step 420. The system searches the electronicfolder database 440 to obtain the results for the query of step 435.According to the invention, the query gives the user the option ofsearching in two different manners: simplified search, and multipleparameter search. The simplified query is based on a single or very fewparameter(s), and is intended to be used by users that already know theelectronic folder that is to be opened. The simplified query enables theuser to quickly locate any specific “electronic file” that he or sheknows by a very specific string. The result of a simplified query willusually be a single electronic file or a small number of electronicfiles that can be browsed/navigated.

The multiple-parameter query givers the user the ability to searchmultiple parameters, fields and search criteria. It is a powerful querybuilder intended to find electronic folders or for generating reportsbased on submitting several broad parameters to a query that will returnthe intended information after applying all parameters given by theuser. The multiple-parameter query enables the user to do extensive andcomprehensive searches on the contents of the electronic foldermanagement system.

At step 445, the system checks to determine whether the query of step435 was successful in resulting in a list of one or more electronicfolders. If the query does not yield any electronic folders, the user issent back to the start screen 340 to reenter parameters to redo a newquery. On the other hand, if the query is successful in yieldingelectronic folders, in step 450, a list of the resulting electronicfolders 460 is generated. If the query returns a valid result, then thesystem has two ways of displaying the result: individual result list,and summary list.

If the query returns a single valid result or a list of possibleindividual results, the individual result list mode of visualisation maybe used. The user is able to see the individual result that shows allfields on the cover of the electronic folders. On the other hand, thesummary list shows specific pre-defined fields to each electronic folderin order to show to the user a large number of electronic folders perscreen.

FIG. 5 provides an overview of one embodiment of creating a newelectronic folder. As mentioned above, the user may decide to create anelectronic folder in step 400. At step 510, the system provides the userwith an user interface in the form of a blank form 515 that is filled bythe user to describe the purpose and the identifying information for theelectronic folder being created. The blank form 515 simulates theappearance of a paper folder's cover, where users enters the informationpertaining to the contents of the folder. Furthermore, once the folder'sidentifying information has been provided, the user may also import inor upload files and/or other data 520 that the user wishes to place inthe electronic folder 192. The identifying information entered is storedin a electronic folder database 440 so that the stored information canlater be used to retrieve and search for the electronic folder beingcreated. At this point, the user may also create one or more files thatwill form a part of the electronic, der. The tiles are stored in a filesystem or database.

At step 530, the user selects the option to return to the main screen,which the system allows by returning to the start screen 340.

FIG. 6 provides an overview of the plurality of actions that may beperformed on the list of electronic folders 460 generated in step 450.It should be noted that the present system provides a new and usefulmeans for searching and narrowing down results showed in the summarylist by running other queries only at the result showed at Summary list.The system allows a user to individually select each electronic folderby manually marking each of them for performing particular actionsthereon. If the user obtains a list bigger than he or she wants, theuser may modify the query or refine the search in step 600 to retrieve amodified list of electronic folder 460.

At step 610, the user is allowed the option of selecting and thenremoving the selection of the electronic folder. According to theinvention, once the electronic folder is removed, the system will notlist the electronic folder in response to queries of step 450 or step600.

After having accepted the pre-defined fields or using customised fieldsas a means for associating each piece of information on the cover of theelectronic folder to the files stored in an electronic folder, the usercan also create customised reports of the information stored in thesefields. Thus, the user can make use of the data stored in the system togenerate customised reports that facilitate in the management ofelectronic folders 460 and also in the management of the files in theelectronic folders.

At step 620, the user may generate a report 625 of the list ofelectronic folders 460. The system provides the user with a reportselection screen 635 that may be utilized to choose from a plurality ofreport styles. The user makes the appropriate entries to indicate thedesired report form in a report generation form 630. As noted above, theuser may have a summarized report or a detailed report, within the scopeof the present invention.

At step 640, the user selects one of the electronic folders in theelectronic folder list 460. The system shows the contents of the coverof the selected electronic folder 645, upon which a plurality of actionscan be taken, as described in more detail below. At step 660, the userselects to return hack to the start screen 340 to re-run a new querysearch.

FIG. 7 provides an overview of some of the operations that may beperformed on the contents of the cover of the selected electronic folder640. At step 700, the user may select to return back to the electronicfolder list 460.

Once the user is in an electronic folder, the user may perform aplurality of actions, as noted above. For example, the user may add afile, delete a file, modify and save the modified file, send a file toanother person, and/or perform various other operations within the scopeof the present invention. Thus, at step 710, the user may insert a newelectronic folder in the electronic folder management system, which alsomakes the appropriate changes and/or addition to the electronic database440. To allow insertion, the user is provided an insertion form 715.Changes may also he made to the file database, if necessary.Furthermore, the user is provided the ability to insert information onthe cover of the electronic folder. The user may then return back to theoriginal electronic folder list 460 to work on another electronicfolder. It should be noted that the user may also return to the startscreen of the selected electronic folder 640 to perform other operationson the selected electronic folder 640.

At step 720, the user is allowed to select a file and delete theselected electronic folder, which also makes the appropriate changesand/or deletions in the electronic folder database 440. As noted above,the user may then return back to the original electronic folder list 460to work on another electronic folder, or to the start screen of theselected electronic folder 640 to perform other operations on theselected electronic folder 640.

At step 730, the user is able to manage the contents of the selectedelectronic folder 640. For example, the user could provide a fileselection 735, so that the system searches the electronic folderdatabase 440 to generate a list of files 750 for performing furtheractions thereon.

The user may make editorial changes in the electronic folder or updatesthereto, as shown in step 760. The system also updates the informationon the cover of the electronic folder. To allow changes to the cover,the system may provide the user with a update form 765 where the usercould make changes regarding the identifying information of theelectronic folder, which will be to make the appropriate changes in theelectronic folder database 440.

FIG. 8 provides an overview of some of the actions that may be performedon the tile list 750, generated in step 730. Here the user is provided asummarised index of the contents of the selected electronic folder. Theuser obtains instant access to all the electronic information associatedwith the selected electronic folder, such as e-mail, faxes, scanneddata, documents, files from applications without having to deal with thelimited searching capabilities of a file management system. This actionsallow the user to immediately locate and retrieve/access the particularset of electronic information linked to the set of data contained in thefields on the cover provided by the user, manage the index of thecontents of that particular electronic folder by describing in one linethe particular piece of information that may be shown together with thedate that particular information was created or last updated in theelectronic folder and the type of content, manage contents of theelectronic folder by adding, creating, deleting, updating, viewing,printing, sending, and/or transmitting the files. However, should theuser decide to return to the previous screen and do no operation on thefile list 750, the user may elect to return back to the selectedelectronic folder 640 in step 800.

At step 810, the user may select a file and delete the selected file,which also makes the appropriate changes and/or deletions in theelectronic folder database 440 and/or in the electronic foldermanagement system. The user may then return back to the originalelectronic folder list 460, the file list 750, or the start screen ofthe selected electronic folder 640 to provide other operations while theuser the selected electronic folder 640. After the deletion, theelectronic folder, the electronic folder management system removes thefile from the index of the electronic folder.

At step 820, the user may be provided with a list of files on theirlocal storage that he or she may decide to insert in the presentelectronic folder management system. Once the file is inserted into theelectronic folder management system, the electronic folder database 440and/or the electronic folder management system is updated accordingly.

At step 830, the system provides an insertion/update form 832 to receiveinformation from the user as to which multiple references are to beupdated. The user provides the parameters for the electronic folder thatis to be inserted or deleted 835. The system performs a select query toretrieve the electronic folders from the electronic folder database 440,related to the parameters entered. The system sets the screen and showsall the electronic folders related to the entered parameters to theuser. If the user chooses to insert an electronic folder reference, thesystem performs an insert query into the electronic folder database 440.If user chooses to delete, the system performs a delete query in theelectronic folder database 440. This feature saves considerable spacefor storage and controls the version of files in the electronic folder.By means of multiple associations of a single file to several electronicfolders, the invention saves storage space and controls the version ofthe file that might be used by several users.

At step 840, the user may update a tile. The system checks to see ifanother employee is already using the file that is being updated. Ifnot, system continues; otherwise the system warns the user and stops. Tocomplete the update, the system makes the appropriate changes andupdates the electronic folder database 440 and/or the electronic foldermanagement system. Next, at step 825, the system asks user if he wantsto save the content remotely. If the user provides an affirmativeanswer, the system goes to step 850. On the other hand, if the user doesnot wish to save the file, the system returns back to the list of files750.

At step 850, the system asks the user to identify the files that are tobe saved locally or remotely. It is also possible for the system to askthe user to identify the local computer file that is to be savedremotely in the electronic folder. The system checks to ensure that thelocal computer file is valid for becoming part of the electronic folder.At step, 860, the system makes an upload of the local computer file tothe server 110, and updates the electronic folder database 440 and/orthe electronic folder management system. The system saves the content inits real path.

At step 870, the user may select to print the file or send the file to athird-party user. The process of sending a document to a third-partyuser is described in more details, with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 provides an overview of the process involved in converting anemail or facsimile into an electronic folder content 196 and storing itin the electronic folder management system 145. According to theinvention, when an e-mail or facsimile is received at the server 110,the electronic folder management system 145 converts it into anelectronic 101 folder content 196 and stores it in the appropriateelectronic folder 192.

At step 900, an e-mail and/or facsimile arrives at a central mail box.The email comprises a subject header, sender's name and address, amessage body and a recipient's name and address. The facsimile thatarrives at the central mail box, is in an image format, such as in .tifformat, .gif format or the like. Thus, at step 910, the system checks tosee whether the arriving content is an e-mail. If the arriving contentis an email, then the system extracts all the information included inthe e-mail, such as the subject header, sender's name and address, amessage body and a recipient's name and address, in step 920. Theextracted information is used to create an electronic folder content 196that can be stored in the electronic folder 192. If the arriving contentis not an e-mail, but instead is a facsimile, it is appropriatelymanipulated and saved as an electronic folder content 196, in step 930.

At step 940, the created electronic folder content is provided with atime and date at which the e-mail or the facsimile arrived. Using theinformation in the created electronic folder content, the electronicfolder content is stored in the appropriate electronic folder 192.

FIG. 10 provides an illustration of the process of sending a document toa recipient in the form of an e-mail or a facsimile, that was earliermentioned in step 870. At step 1000, the user selects the document 196from the file list 750 that he or she wishes to send to a third-partyrecipient. At step 1010, the user initiates the sending of the file byclicking the send button on a user interface provided to the user.

At step 1020, the system checks to see if the document is being edited.If the document is being edited, then the system terminates the processfor sending the file, as shown in step 1030. On the other hand, if thedocument 196 is not being edited, then the system provides the user witha choice of the default e-mail addresses and facsimile phone numbersassociated with the underlying electronic folder, in step 1040. The usermay choose one of the default e-mail addresses to send the document bye-mail, or choose the default facsimile phone numbers to send thedocument by facsimile. Alternately, the user may also provide anothere-mail address or facsimile phone number to the system.

At step 1050, the system checks to determine if the user wishes to sendthe document by e-mail. If the user wishes to send the document bye-mail then the system connects an Internet client to the mail/faxserver, in step 1060. At step 1070, the system creates the document withthe appropriate parameters, such as recipient, subjects and the like.Generally, the recipient is the e-mail address or the facsimile phonenumber provided, and the subject is the topic of the document beingsent. At step 1080, the document is sent to the recipient by the methodselected in step 1040.

At step 1090, the system checks to see if the user selected to send thedocument as a facsimile. If the user selects to send the document as afacsimile, then the control is forwarded to step 1060, where the systemconnects an Internet client to the mail/fax server. As noted above, instep 1070, the system creates the document with the appropriateparameter such as recipient, subjects and the like, and, at step 1080,the document is sent to the recipient.

If the user does not select to send the document as a facsimile or as ane-mail, then the system terminates the process for sending the file, instep 1030.

FIG. 11 is an overview of the process of saving a document locally orremotely, as mentioned in step 850. At step 1100, the user activates theoption to save a document by clicking on a save button on the userinterface. At 1105, the user selects the location at which the documentis to he stored. The user may elect to save the document locally ontheir local disks or remotely within the electronic folder managementsystem 145, or both locally as well as remotely. At step 1110, thesystem checks to determine whether the user decided to store thedocument locally. If the user decided to store the document locally, thesystem allows the user to provide a name for the file and then thesystem stores the file on the local drive, in step 1115.

If the user elected not to store the document locally, then the systemchecks to determine if the user decided to store the document locally aswell as remotely, in step 1120. If the user selected to save thedocument locally as well as remotely, then the system saves the filelocally as discussed above, as well as launches and executes acustomized version of the browser that is configured to import filesinto the electronic folder management system 145, in step 1130. At step1135, the customized browser identifies the necessary parameters for thedocument and launches the synchronization process, which was describedabove. The parameters are used to define and store information regardingthe document being saved remotely, as well as to determine theelectronic folder in which the document is to be stored. In step 1140,the system makes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) upload of thedocument 196. Finally, in step 1145, the system flags the document 196as uploaded and places it in the appropriate electronic folder 192.

If the user does not wish to save the document locally and remotely, butwishes to save the document in the electronic folder only, then thesystem at step 1150, forwards the control to step 1130. As noted above,in step 1130, the system launches and executes a customized version ofthe browser. At step 1135, the customized browser identifies thenecessary parameters for the document and launches the synchronizationprocess. In step 1140, the system makes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP) upload of the document. Finally, in step 1145, the system flagsthe document as uploaded and places it in the appropriate electronicfolder.

However, if the user does not wish to save the document at all, then thesystem terminates the process for saving the file, in step 1060.

FIGS. 12A-12L provide screen shots of one embodiment utilizing thepresent electronic folder management system. The discussion relating toFIGS. 12A-12P provides an illustration of the manner in which thepresent electronic folder management system 145 may be utilized by a lawfirm that is involved in the practice of intellectual property (IP) law.

It should be noted that while the present example discusses the use ofthe present electronic folder management system 145 in an IP law firmsetting, the scope of the present invention is not to be limitedthereby. The present invention can be used to provide electronic foldermanagement system 145 for use in any office setting, at homes whereparents may maintain records of their financial records as well asschool records for their children, and the like.

FIG. 12A shows the start screen 1200 of an electronic folder managementsystem that is configured to store files relating to patents,trademarks, copyrights, and litigation in an IP law firm. Using thesearch facility 1202, the user can search for files and/or electronicfolders on a variety of different subjects within the electronic foldermanagement system. For example, the user may work on trademark files byclicking on “trademark” with a mouse or a similar/substitute device,which will take the user to the appropriate screen to search for andwork with files relating to trademarks. Similarly, the user can decideto work on patent files, some particular client, and the like.

FIG. 12B provides another view of the start screen 1200, wherein theuser may select an option from the “fulfillment” choices 1204 to inserta new electronic folder in the electronic folder management system,which also makes the appropriate changes and/or addition to theelectronic folder database.

FIG. 12C is yet another view of the start screen 1200, wherein the useris able to upload a remotely saved file. Once the user selects“synchronization” 1206, the system receives the remote file, saves thefile in a temporary location, and then makes the necessary entries intothe file database. After making the necessary entries, the file isavailable in the electronic folder management system.

FIG. 12D provides a screen shot of a client search screen 1210, which isprovided to the user when the user uses the search facility 1202 tosearch based on clients on the start screen 1200. For example, the usermay search for clients by selecting the name option 1212, and thenselecting the “begin with” choice 1214 and providing the named of hedesired client in the name slot 1216. Once the user presses the findbutton 1218, the system will search the electronic folder database andthe file database to retrieve the appropriate electronic folders and/orthe electronic folder's contents. The user may elect to receive theelectronic folders that satisfy the search parameters, by listing theelectronic folders and/or the electronic folder's contents in ascendingor descending order of clients' names.

FIG. 12E provides a screen shot of a search screen that allows the userto refine the search. For example, the user may provide additionaldetails 1225 about the client's name, such as indicating that theclient's name contains “finnegan” as part of it. This will limit thenumber of electronic folders that are listed by the system as a resultof the query.

FIG. 12F provides a screen shot of a list of client's whose electronicfolders are stored in the electronic folder management system. The list1230 is generated in response to the search parameters entered by theuser. The user may use the generated list to prepare a report, which isgenerated when the user clicks on the report button 1232. According tothe invention, the user may select or deselect the client's who are tofrom a part of the report begin generated. The user can also click on aclient name listed on the list 1230 to open the underlying electronicfolder and to work therein; once the electronic folder is open, the usermay perform any function that is typically performed on the contents ofa paper folder.

FIG. 12G shows a report generation screen 1234, which illustrates thevarious formats that can be used to generate reports by the user. Forexample, the user may select to print the report in English by selectingthe English option 1236 or in Portuguese by selecting the Portugueseoption 1238. Furthermore, the user may select from various reportformats, such as a detailed report which includes only one case, or alisting which includes fifteen cases per page.

FIG. 12H provides a screen shot of a cover page 1240 for an electronicfolder that belongs to a particular client. As shown in the figure, thecover page 1240 contains user information 1241, which includes theclient's name, account number, client's address, and other miscellaneousinformation. The cover 1240 is also provided with a type selectionpull-down window 1242, which allows the users to designate the type ofthe electronic folder. An owners button 1244 is provided, which may beclicked by the user to list the users who are to have owners' rights forthe electronic folder. The user may also be provided with the options ofupdating the electronic folder, deleting the electronic folder or addinga new electronic folder by clicking on update button 1246, delete button1248, or add button 1249 respectively.

FIG. 12I is a screen shot of the table of contents 1250 for theelectronic folder. The user may choose the content type 1251 that he orshe wants listed, such as internal correspondence, externalcorrespondence, internal e-mail, external e-mail or the like. Theappropriate files are listed in a file list 1252. The user may elect toadd a new file, edit an existing file, delete an existing file, view anexisting file by clicking on the add button 1254, edit button 1255,delete button 1256 or view button 1257 respectively. The user may alsoremotely save a file into the electronic folder management system byclicking on the synchronization button 1258, as described above.

FIG. 12J provides a screen shot of a section page 1260, which lists thevarious sections in the electronic folder. The user may also add a newsection 1262 by clicking on the add button 1263. The user may define thesection type by selecting from the one or more section types mentionedin the pull-down type selection box 1264, or define a new type.

FIG. 12K provides a screen shot illustrating the file transfer mechanism1265. The user may select to save a file in the electronic folder beingused in the electronic folder management system 145, by selecting thesave remotely option 1269. It is also possible for the user to save thefile in the local device, such as their personal hard drive, byselecting the save locally option 1267. According to the invention, itis also possible for the user to both save locally as well as saveremote by selecting the save local and remote option 1268.

FIG. 12L provides a screen shot for the send tile facility 1270. Usingthis facility, it is possible for the user to send a file to a thirdparty by facsimile or by e-mail by selecting the facsimile option 1272or the e-mail option 1274.

In summary, the above-provided detailed description discloses a methodand system for managing electronic information for one or more users.The method includes creating a electronic folder management system tomaintain a list of electronic folders, creating an electronic folder inthe electronic folder management system, creating a computer file andstoring the computer file in the electronic folder management system,and associating the electronic folder with the stored computer file. Theelectronic folders and the computer files are stored in the electronicfolder management system. According to one embodiment, the computerfiles associated with the electronic folder may all be linked togetherso that it is possible to access a first file within the electronicfolder from a second file in the electronic folder. The files arecomputer-readable.

According to the invention, the electronic folder is provided a coverpage that is capable of receiving information from a user to identifythe electronic folder. Information is received on the cover page of theelectronic folder after the creation of the electronic folder. Thecomputer files and electronic folder are managed by the system of thepresent invention, which enables the searching and retrieving of desiredfiles and/or electronic folders following the managing of the computerfiles. The computer files may be data flies, document files, e-mails,voice mails and the like. In response to a user's search query, thesystem is capable of providing a list of electronic folders and/or filesthat satisfy the search query. The electronic folders and/or files canhe modified, deleted, or the user may add new electronic folders and/orfiles to the electronic folder management system. The user may alsoprint the contents of the electronic folder management system, and/orperform a variety of other operations on the contents, individually oras a group, within the scope of the present invention.

The electronic folder management system may be accessed over a network,or accessed locally. Thus, a user may use the present system to manageelectronic information stored on a server by transmitting a loginrequest to the server, wherein the server must validate (i.e.,authenticate) the login request from the user. The user can create anelectronic folder and a computer-readable file that is stored within theelectronic folder management system, as noted above, thecomputer-readable files are associated to the electronic folders so thatthe user can retrieve the computer-readable file by accessing theelectronic folder.

To enable a user to use the electronic folder management system over theInternet, the server authenticates a user upon login, determines if saiduser has an existing electronic folder resident in the server, and maylist the electronic folder(s) owned by the user. The user is providedthe ability to use a search facility for searching files and/orelectronic folders, and the server receives a search request from theuser. As a result, the server locates the appropriate files and/orelectronic folders based on the search request entered by the user, andgenerates a list of files and/or electronic folders satisfying thesearch criteria. The user sends a selection for one of the files and/orelectronic folders from the generated list to perform a desired actionthereon, and the server performs the desired action chosen by the useron the selected file and/or the selected electronic folder. Eachelectronic folder has a selected file associated therewith.

In light of the aforementioned detailed description, it should benoticed that the present invention reduces the redundancy of data storedboth at a database management system (DBMS) for mission criticalapplications and at the document management systems (DMS), which isrepeated in the labels used by the document management systems forstoring and retrieving files. The present invention reduces the numberof applications running in any computerized device, such as personalcomputer (PC), to access bath the DBMS and the DMS information. Thepresent invention reduces the number of actions or steps required tocreate files by using the information available on the management systemof the present invention. The present invention reduces the number ofactions or steps required by the DMS to create files and save them in amanner that facilitates later retrievable of these files.

In addition, the present invention enables the searching of computerfiles by means of all data and capabilities available on missioncritical DBMS applications, which are associated to these files in theelectronic folder. The present invention also reduces the burden of fileversion control because it allows multiple users to simultaneouslyaccess and create documents. The present invention further reduces thespace required to store files, since there is no duplication todistribute it to different user.

It is understood that the above description is only representative ofillustrative examples of embodiments and implementations. For thereader's convenience the above description has focused on arepresentative sample of all possible embodiments, a sample that teachesthe principles of invention. Other embodiments may result from adifferent combination of portions of different embodiments. Thedescription has not attempted to exhaustively enumerate all possiblevariations.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the method and system ofthe present invention has many applications, and that the presentinvention is not limited to the representative examples disclosedherein. Alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specificportion of the invention. Some alternate embodiments may result from adifferent combination of described portions, or other undescribedalternate embodiments may be available for a portion. This is not to beconsidered a disclaimer of those alternate embodiments. It is recognizedthat many of those undescribed embodiments are within the literal scopeof the following claims, and others are equivalent.

It is to be understood that the tasks described in the following claimscan be sequenced in many different orders to achieve the desired result.Thus, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally knownvariations and modifications to the system components and the methodsteps described herein, as would be known by those skilled in the art.

1. A method of managing electronic information for one or more users,comprising: a. creating a management system to maintain a list ofelectronic folders; b. creating at least one electronic folder, saidelectronic folder stored in said management system; c. creating acomputer file; d. storing said computer file in said management system;and e. associating at least one of said electronic folder with thestored computer file.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisinglinking all of said computer files associated with said electronicfolder, such that is possible to access a first file within saidelectronic folder from a second file in said electronic folder.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said electronic folder has a cover pageassociated therewith for receiving information from a user to identifysaid electronic folder.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprisingreceiving information on said cover page for said electronic folderafter said creating electronic folder.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising managing said computer files and electronic folder.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising searching and retrieving a desiredfile following said managing of said computer files.
 7. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising searching and retrieving an electronicfolder following said managing of said computer files;
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said computer files comprise data files.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein said computer files further comprise document files.10. The method of claim 1, wherein said computer tiles further compriseelectronic mail.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said computer filesfurther comprise voice mail.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising managing said computer files.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising searching and retrieving a desired file from saidcomputer files.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising searchingand retrieving a desired electronic folder from said management system.15. A method of managing electronic information for one or more users,comprising: a. creating a management system to maintain a list ofelectronic folders; b. creating at least one electronic folder in saidmanagement system; c. creating one or more computer files; d. storingsaid computer files in said management system; and e. associating saidelectronic folder with the stored computer files, such that each of saidcomputer files may be accessed by identifying the electronic folder. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising linking all of said computerfiles associated with said electronic folder, such that it is possibleto access a first file within said electronic folder from a second filein said electronic folder.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein saidelectronic folder has a cover page associated with the electronic folderfor receiving information from a user to identify said electronicfolder.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receivinginformation on said cover page for said electronic folder after saidcreating electronic folder.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising managing said computer files.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising searching and retrieving a desired file from saidcomputer files.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising searchingand retrieving an electronic folder from said management system.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein said computer tiles comprise data files. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein said computer files may be one of agroup comprising document files, electronic mails and voice mails. 24.The method of claim 22, further comprising managing said computer files.25. The method of claim 24, further comprising searching and retrievinga desired file from said computer files.
 26. The method of claim 24,further comprising searching and retrieving an electronic folder fromsaid management system.
 27. A method of managing electronic informationusing a computer system for one or more users, comprising: a. creatingat least one electronic folder; b. storing said electronic folder in aelectronic folder management system; c. creating a computer-readablefile; d. storing said computer-readable file in sail electronic foldermanagement system; and e. associating said electronic folder with thecomputer files created such that each of said computer files may beaccessed by said electronic folder.
 28. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising managing said computer files.
 29. The method of claim 28,wherein said electronic folder has a cover page associated with saidelectronic folder for receiving information from a user to identify theelectronic folder.
 30. The method of claim 29, further comprisingreceiving information on said cover page for said electronic folderafter said creating electronic folder.
 31. The method of claim 30,further comprising searching and retrieving a desired file from saidcomputer files.
 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising searchingand retrieving an electronic folder from said management system.
 33. Themethod of claim 30, wherein said computer files comprise data files. 34.The method of claim 30, wherein said computer files comprise one ofdocument files, electronic mail or voice mail.
 35. A method of managingelectronic information using a computer system for one or more users,comprising: a. creating at least one electronic folder; b. storing saidelectronic folder in a electronic folder management system; c. creatinga computer-readable file; d. associating said electronic folder with thecomputer files created such that each of said computer files may beaccessed by at least one of said electronic folder; and e. storing saidcomputer-readable file in said electronic folder management system. 36.The method of claim 35, further comprising managing said computer files.37. The method of claim 36, wherein said electronic folder has a coverpage associated with said electronic folder for receiving informationfrom a user to identify the electronic folder.
 38. The method of claim37, further comprising receiving information on said cover page for saidelectronic folder after said creating electronic folder.
 39. The methodof claim 38, further comprising searching and retrieving a desired tilefrom said computer files.
 40. The method of claim 38, further comprisingsearching and retrieving an electronic folder from said managementsystem.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein said computer files comprisedata files.
 42. The method of claim 38, wherein said computer filescomprise one of document files, electronic mail and voice mail.
 43. Amethod of managing electronic information stored on a server,comprising: a. receiving a login request from a user; b. validating saidlogin request from said user; c. enabling said user to create anelectronic folder; d. enabling said user to create a computer-readablefile; and e. associating said computer-readable file to said electronicfolder so that the user can retrieve the computer-readable file byaccessing the electronic folder.
 44. The method of claim 43, whereinsaid electronic folder has a cover page associated with said electronicfolder for receiving information from the user to identify saidelectronic folder.
 45. The method of claim 44, further comprisingreceiving information on said cover page of said electronic folder. 46.The method of claim 45, further comprising receiving a search query fromsaid user to search for desired tile desired by said user.
 47. Themethod of claim 46, further comprising locating said files based on thesearch query entered by user.
 48. The method of claim 47, furthercomprising generating a list of files satisfying said search query aftersaid locating said files.
 49. The method of claim 48, further comprisingreceiving a selection request from said user to select said desired filefrom said list of files.
 50. The method of claim 49, further comprisingreceiving instructions from said user to perform an action chosen by theuser on said desired file.
 51. The method of claim 50, furthercomprising performing said action chosen by said user on said desiredfile after said receiving instructions from said user to perform saidaction.
 52. The method of claim 45, further comprising receiving asearch query from said user to search for a desired electronic folder bysaid user.
 53. The method of claim 52, further comprising locating oneor more electronic folders based on the search query entered by user.54. The method of claim 53, further comprising generating a list ofelectronic folders satisfying said search query after said locating saidfiles.
 55. The method of claim 54, further comprising receiving aselection request from said user to select said one of said electronicfolders from said list of electronic folders.
 56. The method of claim55, further comprising receiving instructions from said user to performan action chosen by the user on said selected electronic folder.
 57. Themethod of claim 56, further comprising performing said action chosen bysaid user on said selected electronic folder.
 58. A method of managingelectronic information stored in a server, comprising: a. authenticatinga user to login; b. determining if said user has an existing electronicfolder resident in said server; c. listing an electronic folder owned bysaid user; d. providing said user the ability to enter a search facilityfor searching files; e. receiving a search request from said user; f.locating said files based on the search request entered by said user; g.generating a list of files satisfying said search criteria; h. receivinga selection for one of said list of files from said user to perform adesired action chosen by said user thereon; i. performing the desiredaction chosen by the user on the selected file; j. enabling said user toselect a desired action on user's electronic folder; and k. performingthe desired action chosen by user on said electronic folder.
 59. Amethod of managing electronic information stored in a server,comprising: a. authenticating a user to login; b. determining if saiduser has an existing electronic folder resident in said server; c.listing an electronic folder owned by said user; d. providing said userthe ability to enter a search facility for searching files; e. receivinga search request from said user; f. locating said files based on thesearch request entered by said user; g. generating a list of filessatisfying said search criteria; h. receiving a selection for one ofsaid list of files from said user to perform a desired action chosen bysaid user thereon; i. performing the desired action chosen by the useron the selected files; j. enabling said user to select a desired actionon user's electronic folder, said electronic folder having said selectedfile associated therewith; and k. performing the desired action chosenby user on said electronic folder.
 60. A method of managing electronicinformation stored in a server, comprising: a. authenticating a user tologin; b. determining if said user has an existing electronic folderresident in said server; c. providing said user the ability to enter asearch facility for searching electronic folders; d. receiving a searchrequest from said user; e. locating said electronic folders based on thesearch request entered by said user; f. generating a list of electronicfolders satisfying said search criteria; g. receiving a selection forone of said electronic folders from said user to perform a desiredaction chosen by said user thereon; h. performing the desired actionchosen by the user on the selected electronic folder; i. enabling saiduser to select a desired action on user's electronic folder; and j.performing the desired action chosen by user on said electronic folder.61. A system for managing electronic information for one or more users,comprising: a. a memory unit for storing a program during executionthereof; b. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit,said processing unit configured to: create a management system tomaintain a list of electronic folders, create an electronic folder, saidelectronic folder stored in said management system, create one or morecomputer files; store said computer files in said management system, andassociate said electronic folder with the stored computer files, suchthat each of said computer tiles may be accessed by identifying theelectronic folder.
 62. The system of claim 61, wherein the processingunit is further configured to link said computer files associated withsaid electronic folder, such that it is possible to access a first filewithin said electronic folder from a second file in said electronicfolder.
 63. The system of claim 61, further comprising an operatingsystem resident in said memory, wherein said operating system isconfigured to: manage the sharing of internal memory among multipleapplications, and handle input and output to and from attached hardwaredevices including said storage means.
 64. The system of claim 63,further comprising a storage device in communication with saidprocessing unit, wherein said electronic folder and said computer tilesare permanently stored on said storage device.
 65. The system of claim64, wherein said electronic folder management software may be loaded tosaid memory unit, said management software being configured tofacilitate the association and linking of said electronic folders andsaid computer files by said processing unit, said software furthercapable of allowing the users to create and manage records in saidsystem.
 66. A computer system for managing electronic information forone or more users, comprising: a. means for temporarily storing programsduring runtime of said programs; b. means for processing logical andmathematical computer instructions, wherein said means for processingcomputer instructions is in communication with said means for storingprograms during runtime, said means for processing configured to: createa management system to maintain a list of electronic folders, create anelectronic folder in said management system, create one or more computerfiles, store said computer files in said electronic folder, associatesaid electronic folder with the stored computer files, and link all ofsaid computer files associated with said electronic folder.
 67. Thesystem of claim 66, wherein associating the electronic folder with thestored compute files allows each of said computer files to be accessedby identifying the electronic folder.
 68. The system of claim 66,wherein it is possible to access a first file within said electronicfolder from a second file in said electronic folder.
 69. The system ofclaim 66, further comprising means for managing applications resident insaid means for temporarily storing programs during runtime, wherein saidmeans for managing applications configured to: manage the sharing ofinternal memory among multiple applications, and handle input and outputto and from attached hardware devices including said means for permanentstorage of information.
 70. The system of claim 69, further comprisingmeans for permanent storage of information, said means for permanentlystoring in communication with said means for processing computerinstructions, wherein said user profiles and said computer files arestored in said means for permanent storage of information.
 71. A systemfor managing electronic information in a server for one or more users,comprising: a. means for creating a management system to maintain a listof electronic folders; b. means for creating an electronic folder, saidelectronic folder stored in said management system; c. means forcreating a computer file; d. means for storing said computer file insaid management system; and e. means for associating said electronicfolder with the stored computer file.
 72. The system of claim 71,further comprising means for linking all of said computer filesassociated with said electronic folder, such that it is possible toaccess a first file within said electronic folder from a second file insaid electronic folder.
 73. The system of claim 71, wherein saidelectronic folder has a cover page associated with said electronicfolder for receiving information from a user to identify said electronicfolder.
 74. The system of claim 73, further comprising means forreceiving information on said cover for said electronic folder aftersaid creating electronic folder.
 75. The system of claim 74, furthercomprising means for managing said computer files.
 76. The system ofclaim 75, further comprising means for searching and retrieving adesired file.
 77. The system of claim 75, further comprising means forsearching and retrieving a desired electronic folder.
 78. A system formanaging electronic information using a computer system for one or moreusers, comprising: a. means for receiving a login request from a user;b. means for validating said login request from said user; c. means forenabling said user to create an electronic folder; d. means for enablingsaid user to create a computer-readable file; and e. means forassociating said computer-readable file to said electronic folder sothat the user can retrieve the computer-readable file by accessing theelectronic folder.
 79. A system for managing electronic informationusing a computer system for one or more users, comprising: a. means forcreating an electronic folder; b. means for storing said electronicfolder in a electronic folder management system; c. means for creating acomputer-readable file; d. means for associating said electronic folderwith the computer files created such that each of said computer filesmay be accessed by said electronic folder; and e. means for storing saidcomputer-readable file in said electronic folder management system. 80.A system for managing electronic information using a computer system forone or more users, comprising: a. means for authenticating a user tologin, b. means for determining if said user has an existing electronicfolder resident in said server; c. means for listing an electronicfolder owned by said user; d. means for providing said user the abilityto enter a search facility for searching files; e. means for receiving asearch request from said user; f. means for locating said files based onthe search request entered by said user; g. means for generating a listof files satisfying said search criteria; h. means ter receiving aselection for one of said list of files from said user to perform adesired action chosen by said user thereon; i. means for performing thedesired action chosen by the user on the selected file; j. means forenabling said user to select a desired action on user's electronicfolder, said electronic folder having said selected file associatedtherewith; and k. means for performing the desired action chosen by useron said electronic folder.
 81. A system for managing electronicinformation using a computer system for one or more users, comprising:a. means for authenticating a user to login; b. means for determining ifsaid user has an existing electronic folder resident in said server; c.means for listing an electronic folder owned by said user; d. means forproviding said user the ability to enter a search facility for searchingfiles; e. means for receiving search request from said user; f. meansfor locating said electronic folders based on the search request enteredby said user; g. means for generating a list of electronic folderssatisfying said search criteria; h. means for receiving a selection forone of said electronic folders from said user to perform a desiredaction chosen by said user thereon; i. means for performing, the desiredaction chosen by the user on the selected electronic folder; j. meansfor enabling said user to select a desired action on user's electronicfolder; and k. means for performing the desired action chosen by user onsaid electronic folder.
 82. A computer device comprising a computerreadable medium having computer readable code means embodied therein,said computer readable code means further comprising: a. means forcreating a management system to maintain a list of electronic folders;b. means for creating an electronic folder, said electronic folderstored in said management system; c. means for creating a computer file;d. means for storing said computer file in said management system; ande. means for associating said electronic folder with the stored computerfile.
 83. A computer device comprising a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable code means embodied therein, said computer readablecode means further comprising: a. means for receiving a login requestfrom a user; b. means for validating said login request from said user;c. means for enabling said user to create an electronic folder; d. meansfor enabling said user to create a computer-readable file; and e. meansfor associating said computer-readable file to said electronic folder sothat the user can retrieve the computer-readable file by accessing theelectronic folder.
 84. A computer device comprising a computer readablemedium having computer readable code means embodied therein, saidcomputer readable code means further comprising: a. means forauthenticating a user to login; b. means for determining if said userhas an existing electronic folder resident in said server; c. means forlisting an electronic folder owned by said user; d. means for providingsaid user the ability to enter a search facility for searching files; e.means for receiving a search request from said user; f. means forlocating said files based on the search request entered by said user; g.means for generating a list of files satisfying said search criteria; h.means for receiving a selection for one of said list of files from saiduser to perform a desired action chosen by said user thereon; i. meansfor performing the desired action chosen by the user on the selectedfile; j. means for enabling said user to select a desired action onuser's electronic folder, said electronic folder having said selectedfile associated therewith; and k. means for performing the desiredaction chosen by user on said electronic folder.
 85. A computer devicecomprising a computer readable medium having computer readable codemeans embodied therein, said computer readable code means furthercomprising: a. means for authenticating a user to login; b. means fordetermining if said user has an existing electronic folder resident insaid server; c. means for listing an electronic folder owned by saiduser; d. means for providing said user the ability to enter a searchfacility for searching files; e. means for receiving a search requestfrom said user; f. means for locating said electronic folders based onthe search request entered by said user; g. means for generating a listof electronic folders satisfying said search criteria; h. means forreceiving a selection for one of said electronic folders from said userto perform a desired action chosen by said user thereon; i. means forperforming the desired action chosen by the user on the selectedelectronic folder; j. means for enabling said user to select a desiredaction on user's electronic folder; and k. means for performing thedesired action chosen by user on said electronic folder.
 86. A method ofmanaging electronic information for one or more users, comprising: a.creating a management system to maintain a list of electronic folders;b. creating at least one electronic folder, said electronic folderstored in said management system; c. creating a computer file; d.storing said computer file in said management system; e. associating atleast one of said electronic folder with the stored computer file,wherein said electronic folder has a cover page associated therewith forreceiving information from a user to identify said electronic folder.87. The method of claim 86, further comprising receiving information onsaid cover page for said electronic folder after said creatingelectronic folder.
 88. The method of claim 87, further comprisingmanaging said computer files and electronic folder.
 89. The method ofclaim 88, further comprising searching and retrieving a desired filefollowing said managing of said computer files.
 90. The method of claim88, further comprising searching and retrieving an electronic folderfollowing said managing of said computer files;
 91. The method of claim86, wherein said computer files comprise data files.
 92. The method ofclaim 91, wherein said computer files further comprise document files.93. The method of claim 91, wherein said computer files further compriseelectronic mail.
 94. The method of claim 91, wherein said computer filesfurther comprise voice mail.
 95. The method of claim 91, furthercomprising managing said computer files.
 96. The method of claim 95,further comprising searching and retrieving a desired file from saidcomputer files.
 97. The method of claim 96, further comprising searchingand retrieving a desired electronic folder from said management system.98. A method of managing electronic information for one or more usercomprising: a. creating a management system to maintain a list ofelectronic folders; b. creating at least one electronic folder in saidmanagement system; c. creating one or more computer files; d. storingsaid computer files in said management system; and e. associating saidelectronic folder with the stored computer files, such that each of saidcomputer files may be accessed by identifying the electronic folder,wherein said electronic folder has a cover page associated with theelectronic folder for receiving information from a user to identify saidelectronic folder.
 99. The method of claim 98, further comprisingreceiving information on said cover page for said electronic folderafter said creating electronic folder.
 100. The method of claim 99,further comprising managing said computer files.
 101. The method ofclaim 100, further comprising searching and retrieving a desired filefrom said computer files.
 102. The method of claim 100, furthercomprising searching and retrieving an electronic folder from saidmanagement system.
 103. The method of claim 102, wherein said computerfiles comprise data files.
 103. The method of claim 103, wherein saidcomputer files may be one of a group comprising document files,electronic mails and voice mails.
 104. The method of claim 103, furthercomprising searching and retrieving a desired file from said computerfiles.
 105. The method of claim 103, further comprising searching andretrieving an electronic folder from said management system.